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Noam Elimelech: Going Out of Ourselves: Perfecting our Character Traits

Parshas Lech Lecha: (2nd piece) “Lech Lecha MeArtzecha, umi-Moladetecha, umi-Beis Avicha el Haaertz asher areka – Go out from your land, from your birthplace and your father’s house to the land which I will show you.” This verse

hints that a person should always search, investigate and explore the world to see and experience the wonders of the Almighty through everything he sees. See Baal Shem Tov on the Torah parshas Bereshit number 39 (quoting from Likutei Amarim of the Mezritcher Magid ) Everything we see or experience is a message from Hashem that only needs to be seen in the correct light. In other words if we could perfect our traits we would truly see the world around us as a total expression of Hashem. The average person does not see the Divine guidance or the messages of Hashem in this world since Hashem is enclothed in nature. As it is taught the the word for nature in Hebrew “haTeva” has the same gematria numerology as the name of G-d Elokim (both equal 86). Once man has mastered his traits and bends them in the service of Hashem, the world is unmasked and you can see Hashem in everything. See also MavoShearim Chap4 in the name of the Baal Shem Tov “When one looks at the world one sees G-d.” Likutei Moharan of Rebbe nachman of Breslov.

Perfecting ourselves allows Hashem to give us intellect and understanding to know and recognize the upper worlds in our daily lives. * The way to reach this level and to see the elevated nature of Hashem through this world is to begin by rectifying and repairing your character traits.

Hashem created us with many different traits and qualities. Every trait has both a good, holy side and a negative evil side to it.

For example it is taught in the name of Levi Yitzhak of Berditchev that even though the trait of heresy and apikorsus is evil there is a positive way to use it. When you see poor people you might say to yourself I am a man of faith, I believe in Hashem. Surely Hashem will tend to this poor man and feed and clothe him. This is the opportune moment to use the trait of apikorsus and say If I wont give charity and Tzedaka to this poor man then he will starve and who will take care of him? Do not rely on your belief in Hashem and help the man yourself. This is a positive way to use and transform bad traits into good. (See Divrei Yisachar Parshas Ki Sisa)

By your own will you must break your bad character and to try to reverse it to the side of pure holiness alone. This will give you merit to recognize the lofty nature of Hashem. Then Hashem will open up the wellsprings of wisdom and help you better understand and comprehend things that you previously could not even imagine.

This is the meaning of the words Lech Lecha as taught by the commentator Rashi “go for yourself , for your own benefit.” You should constantly introspect and examine yourself to aid you in detaching yourself from base worldy character traits called artzios implied by the word Artzecha. In other words go out of yourself from your lowly bad traits and repair them. * Bring these traits back to holiness.

“From your birthplace” – If you behave in a deplorable manner using only your poor qualities your offspring can only reflect this. This is because one bad trait generates and gives birth to others. This is illustrated by the teaching in Avos that sin drags and tows with it more sin. So too your inclination will influence their future actions. * This then is the meaning behind “From your birthplace and from your father’s house.” Certain traits are intrinsically part of you, they were inherited from birth, from your parents and they are part of your nature. * Nonetheless you must go out from them and bring them to a state of holiness, “from the house of your father- to the land which I will show you.” This refers to the higher worlds, that you shall merit seeing and understanding even though you have never experienced them before. *

Therefore raise and uplift your negative traits. Once you have discovered them transform them into good actions. Translate your nature into something holy in the service of your creator. This will open your eyes and help you see the G-dliness in the world around you, just as you can discover Hashem in your bad traits and use them for good, so too can you discover Hashem hidden in nature of this world, speaking and calling out to you to serve him.

This is the meaning of the verse “Gol al Hashem Darkecha.” Gol has the same root as the word Hitgalut- revelation, meaning reveal your ways and character, examine them and see that they should serve Hashem. “and Trust in Him”, once you experience the loftiness of G-d this is called trust. You will see Hashem’s hand in this world and therefore trust in Him that everything is happening for the best. And He shall do for you and create for you experiences which you have never previously seen or encountered. * And He will shine the light of your righteousness. * Understand this.